In: News
9 Jul 2008Dell entered the netbook market on september 4th with a complete line of low cost computers. Initialy known as Dell E, the new serie’s name is finally Dell Inspiron Mini 9.

|
Model |
standard edition |
Social edition |
XP edition |
|
Ram |
512MB |
512MB 1GB for additional $25 |
1GB |
|
Storage |
4GB |
8GB 16GB for additional $40 |
8GB 16GB for additional $40 |
|
Bluetooth |
No |
Optional (+$20) |
Optional (+$20) |
|
Webcam |
No |
Yes, 0.3MP 1.3MP webcam for additional $10 |
Yes, 1.3MP |
|
Price |
$349 |
$399 |
$449 |
Both Standard and Social edition will have Ubuntu Linux 8.04, while the XP version will have the MS OS.


Dell e slim picture, by engadget.com
Dell took the time to compose a complete line of netbooks, marketed as social networking and entertaining products. Mini 9 netbooks, available in many colors, will therefor target a segment composed of young and dynamic consumers.
The Dell Inspiron mini 9 was launched in September 4th, and Dell is already planning a revision in october, with enhancements of the blacktop, and the integration of WiMax.
Blacktop is a basic Linux operating system embedded on the Mini 9 serie’s motherboard, providing instant on internet applications, much like the splashtop system designed by Asus. You will be able to access your email or messenger without having to wait for the main OS to boot. A very interesting feature for a mobile device. OS wise, Dell developed an easy-to-use custom user interface for the Ubuntu Linux.
An Intel 45nm Silverthorne CPU sports the E Slim line, which requires a little less power consumption than the Diamondville (2.5W Vs 4W). The E Slim is also very close to the MacBook Air’s thickness. The fate of the E slim model is still unclear, Dell recently released Latitude E models. We’ll update the article if new informations arise.
The Dell Mini 9 starts at a base price of $349, $50 more than initially announced, and positionned itself at a similar price as close competitors. You can upgrade you model as you wish on Dell’s website, a positive side of Dell’s business models. It is better for the consumer than having to choose from a multitude of similar eee models. It is also better for your freedom of choice, since you can have the Linux OS if you want to, and not depend of the retail market’s choice.
Official product presentation:
If you are seeking more technical data, Dell published the mini 9’s service manual.
16 Responses to Dell E specs
admin
July 9th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Thanks to Stargater for the price update
More photos and marketing material can be found at engadget.com.
Neue Informationen zum Dell E | EeeBlog.ch
July 9th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
[...] (via eeextra.com) [...]
Dell E kommt bereits im August! | Eee PC News
July 10th, 2008 at 4:34 am
[...] und so mancher duerfte sich fragen ob der angekuendigte Verkaufspreis von $299 eingehalten wird. Eeextra.com veroeffentlichte noch einmal die Daten der verschiedenen Dell E Modelle, bestaetigte den [...]
DougC-3
July 15th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Does anyone have any info, opinions, or rumors about:
1)the Linux distro used?
2)the “post-October WiMAX and WWAN” that have been mentioned?
admin
July 16th, 2008 at 5:26 am
Hello Doug,
About the Linux distro, I guess it should be ubuntu netbook remix, because of the long lasting cooperation between Dell and Canonical (but it is my wild guess…)
They are waiting for wimax offers to spread, and then incorporate i in their product line.
Wimax was announced with the eee pc 901 at first, and then Asustek decided that the market wasn’t mature enough.
DougC-3
July 16th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
Thanks for the feedback… I’m pulling for netbook remix since I’ve been playing with Hardy Heron; however, I’m leaning toward the eee 901.
I’ll try to hold out a couple more months for the promised improvements in both the eee 901 and the Dell E video+. I’d like to see if either will offer build-in 3G broadband.
admin
July 16th, 2008 at 11:57 pm
There was a news about an eee pc 901 with a 3.5G module that will be released until the end of the year (can be found here).
If you are comfortable with hardware, our colleagues from liliputing reported that the 901 has a free internal PCI-e slot, suitable for a 3G module.
Acer did put a SIM card slot behind the battery of the Aspire One, and will release a 3G card in Q4.
It will be tough to wait until the end of the year, I would buy my precious as soon as possible
DougC-3
July 17th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Things are happening so quickly and on so many fronts, it’s hard to keep up with it all.
Thanks for the summary of 3G and 3.5G possibilities
Dell E im August | Slimbook.de - Das Portal zu kleinen Notebooks
July 31st, 2008 at 12:28 am
[...] eeextra.com berichtet, soll der Dell E bereits im August erscheinen. Dabei soll es wohl zwei unterschiedliche Varianten [...]
Desktops Dell E, a bajo costo con GNU/Linux « Infornética, todo lo que necesitas saber…
July 31st, 2008 at 11:46 am
[...] infornetica en Julio 31, 2008 Prontas a ser lanzadas al mercado en agosto de 2008, las notebooks Dell E se inscriben en el segmento de las UMPC (computadoras ultra portátiles) de bajo costo, junto con [...]
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August 24th, 2008 at 3:01 am
[...] its base model. It was supposed to be released last Friday but alas, it must be delayed. Here are some specs though. There are to be two [...]
Dell mini 9 details unveiled
September 4th, 2008 at 12:43 am
[...] UMPC portal unveiled a sales flyer containing new details about. The new infos look consistent with what we previously knew about the Dell E. [...]
admin
September 4th, 2008 at 4:59 am
Hello folks!
The Dell inspiron Mini 9 is out, and the specs were modified in consequence.
What we can highlight from the latest infos, in short:
Here’s the link to Dell’s online shop.
admin
September 5th, 2008 at 5:53 am
Thanks to jkkmobile, for pointing to the service manual.
Desktops Dell E, a bajo costo con GNU/Linux | Geekeo. TecnologÃa, Internet & Software
November 7th, 2008 at 8:48 am
[...] tiene 0 Comentarios hasta ahora. Prontas a ser lanzadas al mercado en agosto de 2008, las notebooks Dell E se inscriben en el segmento de las UMPC (computadoras ultra portátiles) de bajo costo, junto con [...]
Desktops Dell E, a bajo costo con GNU/Linux | Geekeo
November 21st, 2008 at 4:39 pm
[...] tiene 0 Comentarios hasta ahora. Prontas a ser lanzadas al mercado en agosto de 2008, las notebooks Dell E se inscriben en el segmento de las UMPC (computadoras ultra portátiles) de bajo costo, junto con [...]